The Town of Qualicum Beach will request that BC Hydro modify the light on the corner of Burnham Road and Hemsworth Road due to the location’s unique circumstances.
The town has received a number of complaints about the glaring lights in certain locations around the community that are intruding into their homes and having a negative impact on their health. They wanted the LED-lights toned down.
Director of engineering and capital projects Bob Weir reported to council, at its meeting on June 8, the light at Burnham and Hemsworth is the only one they are recommending that BC Hydro modify.
“It was early identified as a bit of an outlier,” Weir explained. “The property has legacy encroachments that put it virtually at zero lot line on two frontages and the right of way is only half-width at that location. So it effectively places the building at the centre line of the road relative to the light.”
READ MORE: ‘High-beam monsters’ still bothering some residents in Qualicum Beach
Weir recommended before anything else is done at other locations, they have BC Hydro check the installation and orientation at areas where the town has received light trespass complaints to determine if they can be modified to minimize impact to the residents.
As the town’s technical professional bound by a code of ethics, Weir said he cannot advocate for reducing a level of service that relates to public safety.
“I’ve long maintained that street lighting is to ensure safety of pedestrians, drivers at night and it was the recommendation of the illumination engineer hired by council that the lighting levels not be reduced,” said Weir.
Weir said the number of complaints represents less than one per cent of the residents of Qualicum Beach. Weir also indicated the town has received written support for the new lights, which he feels has been largely overlooked.
Weir also pointed out there is no line item in the town’s financial plan for light modifications.
Coun. Teunis Westbroek mentioned he received a complaint from a resident just down the road from Burnham Road and made an amendment to staff recommendation to have the light in the area considered for modification as well.
Weir said the complaint Westbroek received cannot be accommodated as their condition is different from Burnham Road and Hemsworth Road’s unique circumstance.
Mayor Brian Wiese was not in favour of making decisions on the fly.
Coun. Robert Filmer suggested again to invest on blackout curtains to mitigate the issue that council has discussed at length already.
Westbroek’s motion was defeated with Wiese, Filmer and Scott Harrison opposed.
As for Weir’s two recommendations, council unanimously voted in favour.